The Stigmatization of Male Sexual Assault Victims

By Taylor & Ring | June 9, 2017

Sexual assault is a serious issue within our society. Every day, innocent victims are subjected to violent and senseless sex crimes at the hands of perpetrators—some they know and some they don’t know. Though it receives much less attention, sexual assault of males is a common occurrence. Unfortunately, these male victims are often stigmatized upon coming forward about their harrowing experiences, which makes many males hesitant to report these crimes.

Nationally, about 25 million men have experienced some form of sexual violence other than rape within their lifetimes, according to the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault.  In the state of California, officials estimate that there are about 3 million male survivors of sexual violence. Statistics demonstrate how common these incidents are; yet they only reflect the number of men who bravely report these crimes. Countless others choose to suffer in silence instead of facing the condemnation that society often places upon male victims.

Why society stigmatizes male sexual assault victims

Traditional perspectives about gender roles have greatly influenced societal views about male sexual assault. This influence can be seen in our laws and in the reactions that male victims often receive when trying to seek justice for these crimes.  Some other reasons for society’s view of male sexual assault victims include:

  • Women as perpetrators. In general, society is unwilling to see women as perpetrators. Men are traditionally assumed to be the aggressors in these situations, and women are assumed to be the victims. Though reports show that 79.2% of reported male sexual victimization cases involved a female perpetrator, many men are met with vast resistance when they report being sexually assaulted by a woman.
  • The definition of rape. California’s definition of rape is gender neutral, defining it as an act of sexual intercourse accomplished with a person who is not the spouse of the perpetrator under certain circumstances. Under numerous state laws and, up until recently, under federal law, rape was defined as a gender specific crime that could only be perpetrated against a female victim. When the law fails to adequately classify a violent incident as a rape, it is even more difficult for a male victim to recognize that he has, in fact, been raped.
  • Male stereotypes. Studies have found that heterosexual male sexual assault victims often choose not to report the crimes because they fear being seen as weak and unmanly by society’s standards. They may also fear questioning of their sexuality by others.

The dedicated Los Angeles sexual assault attorneys of Taylor & Ring believe that all victims of sexual abuse, regardless of gender, deserve compensation for the wrongs done against them. If you or a family member was sexually abused or assaulted, call us at 310-776-6390, or complete our contact form for a compassionate and confidential discussion of your case.
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Posted in Sexual Assault